Hey everyone! I am new to this community!

I just went for my initial appointment on July 18th. I have started going for some of my doctor's appointments already and have most of my stuff planned out for what I want to do. My doctor said my surgery can be done in 3 months. But I know that it can take up to 6 months to get done. I'm looking for fellow Bariatric Surgery preferably Sleeve, that are in the beginning stages of appointments!

Yeah, I understand the point of a sleep study. Sleep apnea is definitely not my reason for insomnia. I've had insomnia issues since is was a teenager and at a normal weight. I can't fall asleep a lot of nights. Once I'm asleep I'm fine, I don't really snore and I definitely don't wake up gasping for air (my husband has confirmed this) and I'm rested when I wake up in the morning. It's the falling asleep my body occasionally has issues with.

Anyway, I don't need help with that. I just dread the sleep study based on how sensitive I am to conditions that allow me to fall asleep. I always have issues falling asleep in hotels so I feel like I'm just going to toss and turn all night.

That's cool that there's an at home option possibly, I'll have to ask about that!

We are at the same stage! I have kaiser so I've been to info class, the "meet the surgeon" meeting, and the consult. Next week I have my nutrition class and support group. As soon as I can lose my required weight I'm scheduling!!!! I can't wait to get this over with and get on with my life!! LOL!

Anyway I'm here if you want to talk!

I was really hoping I would not have to do the 6 month wait. I understand the point, but I have been on every diet known to man. Owell it is only 6 months out of my life. I go to my PCP on Weds of next week and they will schedule my sleep apnea test from there as well as some blood work. I can not meet with the surgeon until the next seminar and that isn't until the 21st. They just advised me to get the ball rolling by going to the PCP. I have Highmark BC/BS so there are so many hoops to jump through!

Did you check to make sure you have to do the 6 months. I have BCBS of MI and I did not have to do that. I dont know if Highmark is different. I called BCBS and asked for the criteria of geting weightLoss surgery it took about 5 days to come in the mail. Call yours and make sure what it is. Unless your doctor requires 6 months. I dont know, I am just thinking out loud lol

@@cdadams I did receive information from Highmark that said I must attend 6 consecutive sessions. I haven't met with surgeon yet, but I do not think there is a way around it. I can not have the surgery until after November anyways so it is what it is.

I have Highmark, too! My first appt with the Bariatric Team isn't until August 26th, so I'm guessing no surgery until around March of next year. Boo!

I was hoping they waived the 6 month thing since other BCBS policies had...darn. Oh well, here's hoping 6 months goes fast.

When they said "six sessions" does that mean 6 sessions with the Bariatric Team?

-Katie

@@KatieD6982 I am not sure. I think you have to have a monitored diet for 6 months.

Oh ok, great! Best of luck in your process!

@@KatieD6982 Not sure if I replied to this, but when I called the surgeon she suggested that while I am waiting for the seminar (August 21) I should get in to see my pcp for the sleep apnea test etc.. So I have an appointment for August 6th to see her to get the ball rolling.

@@KatieD6982 Not sure if I replied to this, but when I called the surgeon she suggested that while I am waiting for the seminar (August 21) I should get in to see my pcp for the sleep apnea test etc.. So I have an appointment for August 6th to see her to get the ball rolling.

@@cdadams I did receive information from Highmark that said I must attend 6 consecutive sessions. I haven't met with surgeon yet, but I do not think there is a way around it. I can not have the surgery until after November anyways so it is what it is.

Well, poo. I was hoping.

How are all the fellow newbies doing?! I'm getting anxious and ready for my surgical group to submit my info to insurance.

I've sent over my 6+ month supervised diet info

I've faxed over the medical clearance form to my PCP

I had my EGD done

I had 3 nutritional/behavioral/exercise meetings

I have my psych eval scheduled for 8/25. I think once this is done they will submit!

Then it's a sleep study, blood work/EKG, and a pre-surgery appointment.

I'm hoping hoping hoping to have a surgery date in October!

I am very new to this as well. I actually am just starting primary care with a new PCP. Spoke to her on my first visit that I wanted to have bariatric surgery and she thought it was a very good idea for me. Since I was establishing care, she went ahead and had labs drawn. My mother just had lapband surgery at the end of July. I personally didn't feel like she was given enough information for post op. So I started making phone calls for myself.

After a few phone calls I found a hospital not to far away that accepted my insurance. They said I would need to attend a seminar to get the ball rolling or they had videos and a quiz online I could take. I opted to watch them online. Someone called from the bariatric center the next day to schedule an appt. I don't see my PCP again until 9/2 so I scheduled with bariatric a on 9/9 so that I can get the letter of recommendation to take with me.

I am really looking forward to getting the balls rolling to begin the journey to the new me. I have been heavy all my life and am ready for a change in the right direction. I have been lurking on this site for months and you are all a very positive and supportive group of people!!

Teri

WELCOME ! I suggest going to the seminar. I did the video with the first dr. I saw and when I got to the ofc visit it didn't feel right so I went to another dr. And his seminar where I could ask questions to see if he was the right fit

Edited August 20, 201412 yr by kyrickchick64

I got exciting news yesterday when I went for my 1st education module, as of Monday, BCBS Iowa has ended the 6 month supervised diet requirement!!!! Yay, now I am scheduled to meet with the surgeon on Sept. 4th and I should be able to get sleeved yet this year!

Hi Everyone, this is my very firsti posting. I've hit a roadblock with scheduling my surgery. I've been approved! yeah!! Now, I'm faced with the issue of being diagnosed with Moderate sleep Apnea and now beng told that I can't have the surgery date until I have "logged in" 200 hours using the A-PAP machine that I'm getting. I'm hoping to get it soon and try to get used to it. I really wanted to have this surgery before the holidays so I will have lost some weight when my relatives who haven't seen me in a year will be able to tell. Wish me luck on getting that machine quick. I can't imagine having that thing strapped to my face and try to sleep! Ugh!!